Boots-Eyed recommend them!! (Boots Opticians)

Member Name: blackviolets

Product:	Boots Opticians
Date:	17/06/09 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good service, nice choice of frames and offers

Disadvantages: when they try and help you pick a pair of glasses

Thanks to my primary schools need of giving us eye and ear tests when we first started there I've had to wear glasses since I was 5. So that makes it a total of...almost 17 years.

And throughout all that time I've been completely loyal to my Boots Opticians. Obviously it would be very difficult for me to review my Kingswood branch because it's unlikely that you'll travel here just for an eye test.

So I figured that as I think they are very good I'll write a review as to what it should be like in every Boots opticians!

I didn't have much choice at the start as there were no specsavers in my area at that time but it is very simple to get an appointment there as my sister has just found out. You go up to the desk, say you want an eye test. They take down your details there and then. Everything from any medication you take, if you've had a test before to your usual home and phone details.

After that they should give you a little plastic card with the date and time of your appointment written down on it. In some cases they do send out letters a few days before to remind you about it. But this doesn't happen all of the time, so it's best to keep your card in a safe place. The staff sometimes prefer you to take it with you as a confirmation of some sort.

The actual opticians themselves should be very nice to you. And the appointment itself must be at least 15 minutes long for them to do it properly. You can sit in a nice chair which moves up or down depending on how tall you are.

Then you go through a series of tests. A bright light shone in your eyes. Wearing these special glasses where they can swap lenses to see if things look clearer. Reading from a card of letters from the opposite of the room and moving a card of text closer to your face to see how far it goes before you can't read it anymore. Those kinds of things.

The optician should also check beforehand to see if you are taking medication. You MUST notify them if you have epilepsy, it's something to do with how quickly they turn the main light on and off and other lights they have to flash into your eyes to see if they are healthy.

Then there's the fun bit. Trying on new frames! At the moment Boots do a wide variety of offers. They have a 70% off Boots own brand. Don't turn your nose up at that they are actually quite nice. A buy one get one free-again with the Boots collection and major discounts on some designer frames as well.

The little stands are spread out evenly and it is clear which section you are in. There's the slightly too expensive for me £125+ section and other ones to do with price. Buy one get one free section. Discount Designers. Childrens section and another for the over 60. If you are under the age of 18 you can buy from the childrens area and they'll be free which is great. And no, they aren't all babyish-some of them are perfectly acceptable for those in their teens.

This is when the staff turn into bees round a honey pot. They do tend to come up to you and ask if you need any help. Since my first pair of glasses-thick plastic frames, colour pink with yellow and white squiggles, I have never trusted them to pass any judgement on which shape or colour would look good on you.

Lord knows what that particular lady was thinking when she said I should get them or my Mum for that matter. Anyhow, no sooner have you swatted one away, you can be certain that a few minutes later another will appear. Be polite but firm-eventually they take the hint.

It should take up to 6 weeks for your glasses to be ready by which time they will either phone or write a letter to tell you that you can collect them. Note they will be at the opticians where you bought them from!

The eye test will cost unless you are 18. This can vary from £16-£22 although you do get a discount if you are on benefits.

There should also be a little waiting area-not usually an actual room, just a few chairs.

Overall I find that Boots do a great job when it comes to these eye tests and after you've been going there a while, like myself, they increase the amount of months it has to be before you have your next appointment. This only happens when your eyes start to settle down and don't change much in how good they are.

The time gap can be from 6 months to 2 years. You'll get a letter to remind you that it is nearly time for you to book an appointment with a plastic card. If you do ignore this, they will send two more and after that a few post cards.

I am very impressed with the way the Boots opticians deal with their customers, always friendly and reassuring for those who have never had the test before. They are always very helpful if you have any questions and in some cases they will make small repairs for free.

For example if you happen to step on them and have made the arm stick out at an odd angle they should pop it back into place with a funny machine thing. I've done this countless times, I'm starting to think that they are starting to remember me. This also include if the comfortable bits which rest over your ears fall off, they'll get some new ones and fix them on as well.

I do realise that I've shown Boots in a good way and I know that in some places they may not give the good same treatment that I get from my branch, nevertheless I do believe that they are worth trying out and deserve a well earned recommendation!

Summary: .